Health alert issued for Big Indian Creek Lake

A health alert has been issued for Big Indian Creek Lake in Gage County.

State officials say samples taken earlier this week at Big Indian Creek Lake exceeded the threshold for toxic blue-green algae. The alert will stay in effect until samples at the lake fall below 20 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin (a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.) The state requires two consecutive weeks of readings below that threshold before it will lift the alert.

No other lakes are on alert in Nebraska.

The state conducts samplings at 49 public lakes throughout the state during the summer travel season. Next week will be the final week of sampling for 2012.

Signs have been posted at Big Indian Creek Lake to warn the public. Swimming beaches have been closed. Recreational boating and fishing are permitted at the lake, but the public is advised to avoid activities that could result in ingestion of the water and is advised to avoid full immersion in the water. Camping, picnics and other activities are permissible.

Weekly monitoring for the 2012 recreational season concludes next week. Sampling results for toxic algae and bacteria are posted every Friday on NDEQ’s web site, deq.ne.gov.